We study single- and two-atom van der Waals interactions of ground-state atoms which are both polarizable and paramagnetizable in the presence of magnetoelectric bodies within the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics. Starting from an interaction Hamiltonian that includes particle spins, we use leading-order perturbation theory to express the van der Waals potentials in terms of the polarizability and magnetizability of the atom(s). To allow for atoms embedded in media, we also include local-field corrections via the real-cavity model. The general theory is applied to the potential of a single atom near a half space and that of two atoms embedded in a bulk medium or placed near a sphere, respectively.

• Received 23 September 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.78.062901